Chapter 23: Stoned to death

"Bravo!" The one shouting and clapping loudest was the professor. He'd never seen an undergrad student orate such a splendid speech! That was close to professional level! While he admired the performance for its skill, the surrounding students applauded it for a different reason—they felt something!

The speech resonated with them. It gave them ideas and encouragement, evoked rare emotions and inspiration, and made them rethink aspects of their lives. It touched them!

In the jaded streets of New York City, how hard was it to find something that affected them? How rare was it? Between the days filled with mundane moments, timed sunrises and sunsets eclipsed by gray skyscrapers, it was sensations like these that uplifted them. That gave their world colors and rich flavor! That made life worth living!

Many of them moved to New York for this! What was the point of appreciating this city's art and culture? Of deep friendships and falling in love? To encounter things that moved them! To feel something exceptional!

They found it in the most unlikely place.

Even Ben's jaw dropped! The uproarious feedback was unbelievable! He hadn't delivered a proper speech to an audience since his stats leveled up so he didn't know what to expect.

Although his communication was a 5, when combining a 7 in charisma with preparation, motivation, and a topic he connected with, this was the shocking result. It was reasonable. What was a 7? The system itself said a 7 was an entry-level standard for related professions. That meant Ben had the potential to get a job related to professional speaking. Yet, this was only a one-week seminar for undergrad freshmen.

The contrast between the minimal expectation and the impassioned performance was too huge! This was the outcome! It floored everyone! Who could have expected it?

As the clapping subsided, a new revelation filled the space. One by one, the audience turned their heads from Ben and gazed at Zachary…

Everyone thought, 'Wasn't he in a competition with Ben?'

…

The only sound in the room was the grinding of Zachary's teeth.

Everybody here knew Ben was only a first year student. Meanwhile, Zachary was a graduate student and teaching assistant in the class, but when comparing his speech to Ben's…not worth mentioning!

Zachary turned pale. He got a bad feeling like a divine punishment was coming.

All the students wore strange expressions as they threw thoughts at him like stones.

'Was he planning to compete with his boring rant about national security?

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Zachary's powerful speech became a boring rant!

'He spoke first so we could learn from him? What are we supposed to learn from a waste?'

Zachary went from best speaker to waste!

'This guy's a teaching assistant? He can't even beat a freshman. Who did he blackmail to get that position?'

Zachary was suspected of illegal activity!

It wasn't his fault. He suffered from the crime of contrast. Ben was too outstanding!

All eyes were on Zachary as the onlookers' gazes threw a finishing blow. 'Ben stuttered a week ago, but now gave such a moving speech. He must've worked hard. What were you doing?'

…

The worst part of it all was this dirt hole Zachary was neck-deep in…he dug it himself! Why did everyone know about their bet? It's because he asked people to tell them!

This wasn't dropping a stone on his own foot! This was handing out stones to a mob, then getting stoned to death!

Zachary's face was hideous. He couldn't cope with these students' stares anymore! He looked at Miyuki.

The kind and gentle Miyuki's expression gave off a different mood than usual. 'Don't look at me you trash!'

'My date!' All of Zachary's plans evaporated in a puff of smoke! He'd already spent all his money on a new outfit!

'No! I still have a chance!' Zachary had one lost hope. He'd been working as a teaching assistant for the professor for a long time. This was only a small bet in a student seminar. The professor should still award him the win to save him some face. Zachary put on a bright smile and looked at him with hopeful eyes.

The professor coughed. "Ben, you've delivered the best speech today."

'What happened to respect between colleagues?!?' Zachary fell back in his chair.

The professor was already unhappy that this teaching assistant asked to compete against a student. He wouldn't compromise his integrity by delivering an unjust evaluation to please a glorified intern. Besides, Zachary got himself in this mess.

Since he wanted to slither like a serpent, he could now roll in the dirt!